Now Reading: ACB chargesheets 10 including 7 SMC officers for illegal Srinagar construction
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ACB chargesheets 10 including 7 SMC officers for illegal Srinagar construction
ACB chargesheets 10 including 7 SMC officers for illegal Srinagar construction
Jammu and Kashmir's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against 10 people, including seven officers of the Srinagar Municipal Committee (SMC) and three private individuals, for unauthorised construction in Ward No.…
Jammu and Kashmir's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a chargesheet against 10 people, including seven officers of the Srinagar Municipal Committee (SMC) and three private individuals, for unauthorised construction in Ward No. 28, Batamalloo, Srinagar. The chargesheet was submitted to the Special Judge Anti-Corruption Srinagar on August 17, following a case registered in 2023. The ACB alleges the officers abused their official positions and conspired with beneficiary Reyaz Ahmad Dar to facilitate illegal construction near Tiny Hearts School in Tengpora.
In a separate action, the ACB registered a fresh FIR on August 19 regarding illegal construction of a multi-storey building in the flood basin area of River Jhelum at Rajbagh. The FIR names senior officials including former Senior Town Planner Muneer Ahmad Khan and former Joint Commissioner Planning SMC R.K. Tutoo, along with two private beneficiaries. The investigation revealed alleged violations in building permissions, a substantial increase in plinth area and height without mandatory NOCs, encroachment of about 2.9 kanals of state land, and construction over drainage infrastructure within the prohibited river-fringe zone.
Both cases involve charges under the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act and other legal provisions. The ACB stated that investigations are ongoing in the Rajbagh case, while the Batamalloo chargesheet has been filed after obtaining sanction for prosecution.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both reports from Greater Kashmir present the ACB's official version without any critical or alternative perspective. The Batamalloo story leads with the chargesheet filing, emphasising that the conspiracy was 'proved beyond any doubt', while the Rajbagh story highlights the scale of violations, encroachment on river-fringe land and state property. Neither piece includes comment from the accused or the SMC, nor does it question the ACB's findings. The coverage is straight, government-aligned reporting. A careful reader should note that chargesheets and FIRs represent allegations, judicial determination remains pending. Watch for court proceedings and any subsequent response from the accused officials.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 pro-government
Sources (2): greaterkashmir.com (pro government), greaterkashmir.com (2) (pro government)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
